Carton severing instrumentality



Nov. 27, 1962 A, MAGNATTA CARTON SEVERING INSTRUMENTALITY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. l5, 1960 INVENTOR Z m IJMMNATTA.

e ITORNEY A. MAGNATTA 3,065,540

CARTON SEVERING INSTRUMENTALITY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 27, 1962 Filed Oct. 13, 1960 RNEY Utili@ y 3,065,540 Patented Nov. 27, 1962 tice 3,065,540 CARTON SEVERING INSTRUMENTALITY Angelo Magnatta, 2075 N. Kennison Drive, Toledo 9, Ohio Filed Oct. 13, 1960, Ser. No. 62,499 Claims. (Cl. 30-2) This invention relates to cutting or severing devices and more particularly to a manually usable cutting device or instrumentality especially adapted for severing or cutting the walls of a package or carton in a particular manner to facilitate the handling and displaying of the contents of the carton.

In the packing industry and more especially in the packaging of can goods such as canned foods in cartons, it has become a conventional practice to pack the cans in a carton fashioned of cardboard or paperboard arranged in two tiers of, for example, twenty-four cans in each tier. It has been proposed and has been practiced to a limited extent to sever the side walls of a cardboard carton at two regions spaced respectively from the top and bottom of the carton whereby the bottomI and top sections of the carton become, in effect, trays for supporting the can goods for display and stock purposes, there being twenty-four cans in each'tier in each tray formed by thus severing a carton containing forty-eight cans.

Through this method of severing the side Walls of a carton or package at regions spaced from the top and bottom, the center band portion between the severed regions may be discarded. Diculties have been encountered in severing the side walls of a carton as no satisfactory means is available for severing the side walls at proper distances from the top and bottom surfaces of the carton with assurance of obtaining a proper severing providing a clean edge for the carton trays for display purposes.

The invention embraces the provision of a carton cutting or severing instrumentality provided with a simple,

yet eective, gage means for facilitating severing a carton Wall at predetermined vertical distances from' the bottom and top without inverting the carton and the severing operations performed while the carton is resting upon a suitable table, conveyor or other support.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a carton cutting instrumentality embodying 4dual cutting blades or severing devices arranged in spaced apart relation and at predetermined distances from gaging surfaces formed on the instrumentality whereby the side walls of a carton may -be severed at upper and lower yregions at equal distances from the planes of the top and bottom of the carton assuring smooth, clean severed edges of the carton wall whereby the same present a neat appearance for stock display purposes as Well as to facilitate subsequent handling of the can goods in each tray-like section provided by the top and bottom components of 4the carton through the severing operations.

Another object of the invention resides in a carton cutting instrumentality having dual cutting blades which `are adjustable into a body or handle construction from a position of use to a stored position to minimize the liability of an operator inadvertently being cut by the instrumentality when the same .is not in use.

A Still another object of the invention resides in a carton cutter having dual cutting blades cooperating with a gage block or means arranged at a convenient angle to the handle of the device or instrumentality, the cutting edges of the blades being arranged in relation to the handle and the` gage block or projection so as to obtain an oblique severing of a carton wall by the cutting blades, the gaging 'means provided with a facing of material which wil withstand usage without appreciable wear.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision `of means for locking or securing either or both of the blades in an operative or severing position or in an outof-use position.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a resilient means associated with a cutting blade in combination with manual means for adjusting the cutting blade, the blade being normally biased in onedirection under the influence of the resilient means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a carton cutting instrumentality wherein the body or handle components are fashioned of plastic or other lightweight material which may be molded or cast to facilitate volume production at low cost.

Still another object of the invention resides in a means for securing or locking a severing blade in adjusted positions whereby the blade may be projected from the holder Y or handle a desired distance to yeilect a complete severing of the wall of a container without contact or engagement with the cans or product packed in the container.

Another object of the invention resides in a carton cutting instrumentality in which the cutting blades are readily replaceable in event they become worn or dull and replacement eiected without the use of tools.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture andI numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specication and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of cutting nstrumentality of the invention illustrated in a position of use for severing a lower wall region of a carton;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the cutting instrumentality in an inverted position of use for severing the upper side wall region of a carton;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the construction shown in FIGURE l, portions of the handle being illustrated in section;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 4 4 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 6 6 of FIGURE l FIGURE 7 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 7 7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an isometric view of a wear plate forming a component of the construction;

FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of a carton and the cutting instrumentality of the invention illustrating the method of severing the upper side wall region of a carton; y FIGURE l0 is an isometric View showing the method of using the cutting instrumentality for cutting or severing the lower side wall region of a carton;

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view of the cutting instrumentality in a position of use as shown in FIGURE 9 illustrating the manner of use o f the gage block and the position of a cutting blade in relation to the top of the carton;

FIGURE l2 is a detail view of one of the cutting blades;-

FIGURE 13 is a plan view partly in section illustrating a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 14 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13; and

FIGURE 15 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 13.

While the carton severing instrumentality of the invention is particularly adaptable for use in severing the "sjoeejeao t `upperandtlovvensitle'wall regionsof a*cartonfsontaining` canslof z food or other product,` it is to be understoodthat the. instrumentality may be used4 generally for: severing Wallsof any type `of* cartonfcontaining kanyftype of prod? t uct but is particularly adaptable for' usegin severingthe f sidetf-vvallsfof a carton at` Vpredetemmined distauceslrom ponent of the head1!) and the gagemeans 14. l ,t The body and handle components of rthe construction j maybe fashioned of any; suitableplastic oryresiuousfmap t terial such as ethyl cellulose (marketed under thetrade name Ethocel), orthesecomponents may be castiof suitable material preferably of lightweight such as a'lu` sections lengthwise Vfor' ease of assembly. .t t p' The, handle sections are securedtogether by two rivets,

24ans 2s as showninFIGURE/s, the interior ef 'the sections `being of hollow contigui-ation to provide a device of minimum "weight `The section of the head or body 1t) at theforward terrninusfofr the handle section 181is` formed with a thickened portion'28, anfoifsetsection 3l) of the` body terminating in an angularly extendingoprojection or block 32 which provides 'a gage means forfpropthe top landybottoin kor the cartonwhereby'thetop and" Y bottorrrsections, of the cartonbecome-.supporting@traysk "of identical character.` suitable for j containingtand displaying each tier of cans or Votherproduct. f i

' minum; `The sections 16 and'l kof the handle portion f `of the constructionare adapted to mateinthe manner.`

y shown inr FIGURE '6i j Thehandle'sections'arekfashioned sot'hat the matingplaneslengthwiseofthehandle portier-1F30; are illustratedatk19`, k20` and 21,`tlie"oi`set\providcdby this ,coniiguratiour serving topropcrlyalign the handle` the V"bolts mayA beadjusted or moved lengthwise inthe slots to `I1Jt 1`cel` thefbladcs ,34 and p38 to a position of use vor retract theminto` the handle section to anoutsof-use p ,positiorn When/:they vare. projected forwardly of the `.sectionfltiti.they'arein'positionfor-severinga. carttui.y t Y y f fyfjrnanpulationof the knurled nuts 5G aiuti;` t t cuttinghladesmay be Vlocked either in aposition of `use j Y or ,inf a retractedorout-of4use position. One or the, blades` 34 istillustratedin FIGURE l2 and both blades i Referring to` thedrawingszin detail, and initialljvto` the term ofthe invention illustrated in`l-IVC'JURESl"` t `through l1, the cutting instrumentality; is inclusive yof a: body lformedtwith a headorblade supportingportion which is provided with a handle or griprportion 12 and a gaging means orportion 14. In the embodiment illus-` n tratcd the handle portion His fashionedoftlwo sections j e 15 andli,` theuppervsectionyl terminating.inlaiportion "17 in which ythe cutting blades are accommodated," the v lower handle section 18 lbeing formedas anzintegral corn-.pQ

icular opening49fto, accommodatethe adjacentbolt. As t will Ybeapparenti fromMFIGURBS l andl', tlnemcuttingk edgesfoflthe blades are arranged ,atan angleof approximatelydifwithurespect to awallvfof a carton to `be severed. f

The odset `'portion 3U of theheadl iszprovided withr a `projectinggagefblocl; orportion` 32 preferably extend# t insisten ngleof absurd?` rto the Ilongitudinal'abris ofv thehandleportion lzas shown inirFIGURES l7^ and 2. p

The projection orjiblocltz pnovides a gaging means for guiding the lcuttingblades during carton severing open; p ations.` Embedded rin the portion and in the pro-l` y jection 32 is a metalrweartplate 56 of` generally Lrshapecl:Y f configuration,` 1 the plate being illustrated in detail in. j

FIGURE a:

Thevertical legxpofrtion 58 of the Wear plate is `ern` bedded in the'` vertical ffaceregion ofthe otset portion.,` l .30 and the` horizontal legportion 60 is embedded inthe QuPPGl region offtheprojectionz asparticularly shown 1v in yFIGUREf7.' Atransversely extendingftanglfexe tends generally reaiwardly of the verticalA portionfs of thewearplate and during'the molding of the section 18,7; y r t 'is `embedded inl the thickened portion r2,8 of the handle component `18 as shown in FIGURE .7,"

`respectivelyi provided with circular openings 66, 167 and f68 -Whichgduring Vthe molding operationfof the handle` i The portions 58, .and 64 ofthe Wear plateddare i componentr18the offset portion 30 and the projection erly positior'lingy the cutterfat predetermined distances from the` top andbottom ofk a carton during ysevering operations. j p i The regions 17 of the section 16' adjacent the head i portion are provided ywith,recesseswor slots yto* accom- The blades are spaced .vertimodatethe cutting` blades. callyas viewed in FIGURE `Si and in sideby-side rela? tion as viewedin FIGURE 4.` The region 17 of thehan-r p dle section 16 is formedwith a lengthwise recess acconv modelingy a cutting blade 34 yfashioned with a cutting edg'e" 35 asfsho'wnin FIGURE `l; t

Preferably disposed or embeddediin the sectionlld ad` jacent thecuttiugblade 34 yare longitudinally entellding` metal insert rneauns` 36 which form` suitable Ways or'guides Q .55p in whichwthe cutting blade 34 is slidably `act':onlinmintedi` yorinounted.-` i C I e l The body, portion `17istformedvvitlrasecond lengthwise recess accommodating rajsiecondf e11`ttng#blade` 3,8 -fas The een 46 extends through/tire stets region of the bolt46 accommodating a knurled nut 50. The `bolt-48 extends through the slots k44` and through z andthroiigh" a circular opening 49 in the blade`34, thcthreadedend anged tray-like A member.

32,.f'become lil-ledwiththe plasticmaterialof which the handle is molded forming sprues of plastic in nthe openings, t s `Serving to prevent dislodgment ofv the wear plate 56 andl f securely hold thcfsame Yin embedded position.,

f The faces or outer surfaces of therhorizont'al portion I `Lttand the vertical portion 58,. provide metal` surfaces engaging -a carton and serving to prevent wear of the `gaging meanswhen theinstrumentality is' employed in the manner :shown in FIGURE `9.r

` FIGURESS; l() and ll illustrate positions of use of t `the ,carton ksevering instrumentality' of` rthe jinventionr if With particular `reference `to FIGURE 9,"the instrumeng talityis shown ina position to sever the upper sidewall qregimisofr a carton '72'. e. l i t 'In utilizing the @cutter for this purpose; `the blade 34-` f *is movedto extended or projected `position by manipu-t, vlating the,knu"rled1uut`50 and moving the boltgfl` and the bladeina` lelithandtdirection "as Viewed iuFIGfURE A2 until the blade ist "fullyy extended; after which the zknurled -liujtljrnay beljdrawnup toholdthe blade inV project d'V netflix The'operator positioned cutting in the" carton `or packagel `which yl'lring'sr ythe wfitlthe` to istirfacefll), of theaeartonj rand theo FIGURES. `:t

cuttingrlnsufunientant riz ntaldirection with the blades" 34gprojeotnglf through the carton Welland severs all four sidewalls of the carton `72, kWhile maintaining the gage block 32' in ,e t i y. in n pntetngsaselblskfn@vente f n ^ftopsurface of i t .Y horizontal portionl) of the wear plate .56. in engagement 'f n e?, verticalfportion 58-`oftth`e Alvear` platein ontactiwiththe adjacentside wallet the cartones shown After this operation is completed, the operator inverts the cutting instrumentality to the position shown in FIG- URES 1 and 10 with the lower or bottom surface 33 of the gage block 32 in contact with a table or other means 75 supporting the carton 72. The -blade 38 is then moved forwardly of the handle to a projected position of use by manipulating the knurled nut 52 and sliding the bolt 48 forwardly in its slot, and the blade locked in projected position by drawing up the nut 52 on the bolt 48.

The operator then grasps the handle portion 12 and draws the cutting instrumentality around the four sides of the carton, while maintaining the surface 33 of the gage block 32 in contact with the table, effecting a severing of the carton at the line indicated at 76 which operation forms a tray of the lower section of the carton. The two `severing operations completely separate the upper and lower tray-like portions of the carton from the intermediate band 78. After the second severing operation is completed, the operator removes the upper tray-like section of the carton together with the upper tier of cans 80, leaving the lower tier 812 of the group ofcans in the lower tray portion of the carton.

The intermediate band 78 of the carton which has been severed from the top and bottom sections is discarded. Thus as a result of the two cutting operations the carton is transformed into two tray-like portions each of which contains a tier of can goods previously packaged in the carton. The zones of cutting or lines of cutting the carton indicated at 74 and 76 are preferably equidistant respectively from the top and bottom outer surfaces of the carton.

With particular reference to FIGURE 3, the distance designated (a) from the lower surface 33 of the gage block 32 to the cutting edge of the blade 38 is the same as the distance (a) from the upper surface of the horizontal portion 60 of the wear plate 56 to the second cutting plate 34. Thus by fabricating the construction whereby the thickness of the gage block 32 is equal to the vertical distance between the cutting edges of the blades 34 and 38, the flanges on ythe tray-like portions of the carton resulting Vfrom the severing operations will be of the same height.

It is to be understood however that if the flanges of the upper and lower tray portions provided by the severed carton are to be made of different heights, the distances (a) and (a) will not be identical. FIGURE 11 illustrates the position of the gage block 32 in contact with the upper surface 70 of the carton and the cutting blade in a projected position of use extending through the carton wall for effecting severing of the carton wall along the line 74.

-It -will be noted from FIGURE l1, that the offset portion 30 is made of hollow configuration and is defined by comparatively thin 'wal-l portions 31 as shown -in FIGURE =11 Ito reduce the weight of the cutting instrumentality. With particular reference to FIGURE 2 it will be noted that the obverse region of the yga-ge block 32 is cored out and provided with reinforcing webs 35 for the purpose of reducing the weight of the device without sacrificing strength characteristics of the gage block.

VFIGURES 13 through 15 illustrate a modified form of construction wherein a resilient means is incorporated in Ithe arrangement lfor biasing the cutting blades in one direction. In this form of the invention, the handle portion .12', the gage block 32 and the head portion 10 are `generally the same shape as the corresponding components in the form of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES l through 11.

The section l90 of the handle section A18' and the forward portion of handle section 16 is provided with pairs of longitudinally extending slots 92 and 94, shown in FIGURE 15, the slots -accommodating respectively the rod-like members or pins 96 and 98 shown in FIG- 6 1 URE 14. The portion of the handle section 16' is provided with a longitudinally extending slot to slidably accommodate a cutting blade 102 which is guided in its sliding movements by means of metal inserts 104 embedded in the plastic material of the handle as shown in FIGURE 14.

The portion 4106 of the handle section 16 is formed with a recess in which is slidably mounted a second cutting blade 108 which is guided in its sliding movements by means of metal inserts 110 shown in FIGURE 14. Each of the cutting blades 102 and 108 is of slightly greater len-gth than the blades `34 and 38 and each is provided with a circular opening similar to the opening 49 shown in FIGURE l2 to respectively accommodate the bolt-like members or 'pins 96 and 98. The parallel slots 92 and 94 accommodate slidable movements of the rod-like members 96 and 98 for moving the blades longitudinally in their slots.

Disposed between the rods or members 96 and 98 and the end walls 1-12 of the sections 100 and 106 are expansive coil springs i114 and 116. The -springs 114 and 116 normally bias the cutting blades 102 and 108 to their out-of-use positions within the port-ions 100 4and 106 viz. the .blades being biased in 4a right-hand direction as viewed in FIGURE 13. The upper region of the rod 96 is provided with a transverse threaded opening which receives a threaded tenon portion 118 formed on a shaft or pin 1-20, the latter extending transversely through a slot 122 elongated lengthwise of the handle.

The shaft or pin extends laterally from the handle structure `and is threaded to accommodate a knurled nut 124. The outermos-t end region of the shaft 1-20 is provided with a ange head `126 which limits lthe outermost threaded movement of the nut 124 with respect to the shaft 120.

When the nut 124 is backed away from engagement with the side surface of the section 100, the expansive spring 114 is free and .biases the blade 102 in a righthand direction, as viewed in FIGURE 13, to its retracted or out-of-use position.

When the nut 124- is in its non-locking position, that is, in engagement with the ilange or -head :126 on the shaft `120, the operator is enabled Ito exert finger pressure forwardly upon the nut 124, moving the rod 96, the `shaft 120 and the blade i102 in a left-hand direction as viewed in FIGURE 13 whereby the blade is projected beyond the end of the portion 100 to 4a position of use whereby a carton wall may be severed by the blade 102.

:If the operator desires to lock the blade in a projected position of use, the nut `124 may be drawn up while in the broken line position indica-ted in FIGURE 13, the spring 114 being then held in compressed condition. When it is desired to retract the plate 102 the operator loosens the knurled nut -124 and the expansive pressure of .the spring 114 retracts the blade into the handle portion. The rod 98 is provided with a transverse threaded bore to accommodate a threaded tenon 130 formed on the end of a pin or shaft 132 which extends through a slot 134 elongated lengthwise of the handle.

The shaft 1132 is provided with a threaded portion accommodating a knurled nut 136, the outer end of the shaft 132 being formed with 4a ange or headV 138. The construction or shaft y132, nut 136 and head 138 are of the same construction for manipulating the blade 108 as the shaft 120, nut 124 and head 126 effects manipulation of the blade 102. Y Y

Thus, the operator by maintaining the nut 136 in a loosened position may, by forwardly directed iinger pressure applied to the nut, effect compression of the spring 116, moving the blade I108, rod 98 and `shaft 132 forward to project the blade to a position of use as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 13. By drawing up the nut 136, the blade may be locked in either a projected position of use or ture., i Y

If desired, an Iabutment may be provided at the rear ends ofthe slots 92 and `94 in theihandleconstruction and springs `disposed between such an abutment andthe rods 96Y and 98 respectively whereby `the blades maybe normally resiliently biased .to aprojected position of use.

andv may be retracted by manipulation of the knurled'nuts f 124 and 136` in a rearward direction toward thehandle to lock the plates in retracted ork out-of-use positions with the springs under compression. i t

From the foregoingit willy be seen thatih the several forms ofthe invention, the cutting blades may be selec;

retracted positibn Within the handle struci means engageable withY said ,blades4 andeXtending exteriorly of one .of the handle sections for manually mov-V :ing the blades. along the recesses, means for locking` y tively moved from a retracted to aprojected position@ and' locked in either position. 'In the ,form sho'wn in 'FIGURES 13 through l5, the plates are normallybiased to a retracted or out-of-use position butrnay befre'adily projected to a position of use byforwardly directed ringer`V pressureexerted upon the linurled nutsy 1`24"ar1d`136{ With the nuts in a `loosened position, the operator may effect severing operations by lmaintaining'ringer pressure in a forward directiongupon the fknurled nuts without drawing up thenuts into blade lockingvk positionfso'- that H immediately upon release of iinger pressure on the nuts,- the blades will be automatically retracted intothehandle portion under the influence of the springs.`

Itis apparent that, within the scope of thefinventiom 'modifications and differentV arrangementsmay be made other than las hereindisclosed, and the present disclosure f is illustrative merely, theinvention` comprehending; all

variations thereof.

I claim:`

1.-A` carton severing' `instrumentality including,*ih

said manually operahlermeans to' secure theblades n `any l rpositionfoi adjustmenasaid head portionfincluding a y gage block havingg'aging surfaceson opposite faces of ithe block and 'arranged `in planes parallel withr the planes f `oithebl-ades, the distance between one of saidvlgaging sur-y `facesV and one of the `blades'being substantially equal1 to the distance between the other ofthe gaging surfaces andthe otherblade.

4.` A cutting :instrumentality.forsevering oartonsinf 'Y -cluding a handleconstruction formed of two,matinghan-r Vdle sectionslrofplastic material,V means `for securingA the 'j handlesectionstogether; one of said handle 'sectionsbeing formed-with laterally yspaced recesses arranged in *spaced planes and extencing lengthwise ofV the handle construction,metal'insert Lrneansin `cachof said recesses, j "a cutting blade disposedwithin leach of the insert'means,` `saidinsert means `forming guides for accommodating slid-V t able movement of "said b'lades elongated passageways formedfiri said handle sectionsxadjvacent said blades', members extending `through Nopenings in said vblades and into `said passageways )and arranged to `be manually moved `to positions toy project the blades from the handle sections land retracttlfle blades into the handle, sections, one` of 4 said -lhandle sectionsbeingfformed withan ottset` portion,V a gage meansrproyidfed on said offset portiomand a y i metal plate" on said flgfmeans providing a `gaging sur- `facefgsaid gaging `means vhaving afsecond gagingl surface `in` parallelism t with Vthe gaging surface Vprovided yby the metalplate,` t

combination, a `handle `construction formed at oneend region with a recess, a cuttingblade disposed in said recess, registering openings'formedin saidbladeand han-f dle construction, means extending through vsaid openings ;for maintainingsaid cutting `blade yin the recess,

said handle construction being resinous material and .havi l '40 from said laterally extendingl portion, said gageV block t `having a gaging surface arranged in a plane parallelwith said cutting blade, said `cutting blade being arranged tdw ing a laterallyextending portion, a gage block ,projecting` project beyond ythe `handle construction for engagement With a` carton to be severed, and a metal membersecured to a surface of said gage block and asurface ofv` engagethe said laterally extending portion arranged to carton to be severed. f

2. Ak carton severing instrumentality including, in

combination, a handle constructionfform'ed `at one end ,t region with a recess, a cutting blade disposed in said ref cess, `registering openingsformed` in said blade and han-f` dle construction, meansextending ythrough said openings handle construction having an offset portion, `and a gage blockprojecting from said offset portion, said gage block having a` gaging surface arranged ina rplane parallel with t for `maintaining said cuttingy bladey in thereeess,4 said,l

said cutting blade, said cutting blade being arranged to f project beyond the handle construction for engagement with a body to be severed, said handle 'construction being resinous material, and a `metal member embedded in a surface of said gage block anda surface of saidV odset portion arranged to engage the carton to be severed, and resilient means enclosed within thehandle construe` tion normally biasing the cutting blade in onejdirection. Y

3. A cutting instrumentality including a body formed with a head portion and a rst handler section, asecond Y handle section mating withsaid first handlesection, means securing the handle sections together, transversely spaced recesses formed in one` of said handle sections, said rccesses being elongated lengthwise of saidrhandle, said recesses being arranged in spaced parallel planes, cutting blades disposed for slidable movement' in said recesses,

l, 5. A onttinginstrumentality for severing cartons inn cludingra handle construction `forrnedof two mating'han-w ,Y dlesections of plasticrmate'rial,r means for securing the t Vhandlesectionstogether, one of said handle sections being'fformed'vvith 'laterallyispaced recesses arranged in `verticallyspaced` planesand extending lengthwise of the handle construction, metal insert means in each of said recesses, acutting` blade disposed within each ofthe inf sert meanatsaidinsertmeans formingguidesfor accomt t l `modating slidable'movementyof said"`blades, elongated` l. i passageways formed in said handle sections adjacent said (blades,` bolts extending through openings in said *blades ,and into said passageways andV arranged to be manually y kadjusted to positions to project theblades from the han t dle rsections and retract the blades into the handle sections, oneof` said handle sections being formed with an ofsetiportion,` a `gage means provided on said oiset portion, va metal kplate on said gage means providing agaging surface, said plate being embedded in the Y plastic material, saidgaging means having` a second gaging sur- Aface in parallelism with the gaging surface provided by` themetal'plate, the distance between the gaging surfaces being substantially equal to the space between the planes t of the blades, and means` cooperating with said bolts for locking said` blades in adjusted positionsr 'l f *References cites in `the sie or this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Aug, 7, 1946` 

